Danville AMBUCS Summer Camps a Big Hit

 THE FOLLOWING IS A BILL PICKETT STORY

Danville AMBUCS are hosting one of their largest turn-outs ever this week and next for their annual summer camps for kids.  Again this year the camp is based at the Danville Gao Grotto, but camp director Lori Lyons says participants are doing fun things around the area.  She outlined some of the activities from earlier this week…

AUDIO: Monday we went out to Illini Skateland, and we did Putt-Putt Golf, and we skated and did a lot of crafts and games.  Tuesday, we went to the Danville Tennis Center, and we had a little tennis clinic; and we played at the AMBUCS Lincoln Park, the Independents Playground; and then we went to the Fischer Theater and got to see a movie.

All of the children in the camp have various disabilities according to Lyons….

AUDIO: Our camp is geared for kids with different abilities, as we like to say.   They may not be able to attend a regular camp; YMCA camp, or Boy Scout or Girl Scout camp; like their siblings and peers do.  So we provide a camp so they get to do the things that their friends and neighbors and siblings are getting to do, and they get some extra help so they can participate in all these activities.

The AMBUCS hire staff to help the club members and volunteers for those with special needs.   Thursday, the campers will be heading to the Covington Pool to swim, and on Friday they will spend some time at the AMBUCS Playground for Everyone at Danville’s Winter Park.

Lyons adds there has been a large turn-out for the camps this year….

AUDIO:  This week we have 50; five years old up to about 11 or 12.  And then next week is our older campers; 12 years old, middle school up to high school up to their 22nd birthday.

Lyons was interviewed by Neuhoff Media on Wednesday after a fleet of a half-dozen boats from the Gao Grotto Skippers took the kids on boat rides on Lake Vermilion.   Lyons says the Grotto has been a great supporter of the AMBUC Summer Camps for years….

AUDIO:  The Grotto has done a fabulous job.  They’ve added the playground, the pirate ship, and some handicap accessible swings.  They’ve put in a handicap accessible ramp, so we can get in the door, and also for the playground so we can access the playground.  And also, rumor has it they’ve raised enough funds that they’re going to put in handicap accessible bathrooms within the next, probably, year.

The Danville AMBUCS are able to host the camps this year because of money raised with their annual raffle and AMBUCS Friday Night concerts.  Lyons adds it would be impossible to run the camps without the support of volunteers, AMBUCS members, and the Grotto.